Bobcat Dive
Dive Into Learning
Week of: 9-13-21
Dear Parents,
Welcome to HGS! We are happy to announce we have changed our newsletter approach to this new format and we hope it is easier for you to navigate through and read.
We are excited to continue to “go green” this year! Families that have provided an email address to your child’s teacher will begin receiving electronic classroom newsletters and HGSE Newsletters this week. If you do not receive them electronically and you have a valid email address, please notify your child’s teacher this week. Emails are the fastest form of communication during the day. If you have an important matter to discuss, we always encourage a phone call or an in-person conference. Don't hesitate to contact us either digitally, by phone, or in-person.
Afternoon Transportation Changes
Please send a note with your child regarding afternoon transportation changes. Otherwise, please call the school by 1:45pm. Please refrain from picking up your child between 1:45pm and 2:15pm unless it’s an emergency, this is now a district-wide policy. Our office is very busy during this time. If you need to make a permanent transportation change, you will need to complete a new Transportation Sheet.
Around the School
Ways to stay informed…………
Updated phone number and email address with school
Facebook: YSD1, YSD1 Transportation, HGSE
Dates to Remember
Dates to Remember
Interims
Early Dismissal for Students @ 11:45
September 23
Moe’s PopUp Event
October 2
National Custodian DayOctober 7
Fall Picture Makeup
October 14
Parent Conferences- 3:00-6:30
October 15
Parent Conferences - no school for students
October 18
OEC Professional Development Day for Teachers, No school for students
October 21
Report Cards
COVID Information...........
I just want to share that our YSD1 Board of Trustees voted to amend our Return to In Person plan to require mask of staff, students, and visitors in district facilities only due to the CDC/DHEC recent changes in how a close contact is defined (students within 6 feet of a positive person when not masked rather than 3 feet when masked), the high number of students in quarantine, the length of the quarantine period as 14 days if all students are not masked rather than 10 days when all students wear mask, and high rise of positive COVID cases.
With DHEC/CDC’s August 26, 2021 change in the definition of a close contact, which increases the range of close contact to six feet rather than the three feet if all students do not have on a mask, the number of students in quarantine was likely to double.
With this information, the YSD1 Board of Trustees made a determination to require masks so that we can keep as many kids in school as possible. With masks, if students have to be quarantined it can be for 10 days, and we can still use the 3 foot radius instead of the 6 foot that you have to use without masks. While masks are very controversial, this is one measure we can try to reduce the number of students on quarantine, how long they have to quarantine, and the positive cases. The board will revisit this at the October board meeting to determine if the requirement should end or continue. I think we all agree that we want our students to be present in school.
With that being said, we would appreciate families allowing their children to wear a mask arriving and dismissing, in the hallways, and when we can’t social distance. Our teachers are working very hard each day to separate students so they can take masks off. Time to take off masks- breakfast, snack, lunch, recess, and when spread apart in the classrooms.
Finally, we are excited to state that our rate of cases and quarantines have drastically decreased since the mask requirement.
For reference regarding the new CDC guidelines below is a diagram that describes how contact tracing will work with students wearing a mask and not wearing a mask.
Hickory Grove/Sharon Elementary School
Email: communications@york.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.york.k12.sc.us/hgs
Location: 4901 Hickory Grove Road, Hickory Grove, SC, USA
Phone: 803-925-2116
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/York1HGS/
Moe's Dinner Night!
Order Moe's family meal kits for dinner on Sept. 23! It is drive-thru style and you do not need to get out of your car! Pick up will be in the bus lot at the sidewalk. We hope everyone will sponsor our school by ordering a Moe's family meal kit!
Sept 23rd!!
Click here to order: